The two twin sisters from Dover, known more prominently by their stage name Nik and Sam, are living the life that most aspiring country musicians would kill for. They’re living in Nashville, the Mecca for country music, while touring across the nation opening for big-name musical acts.

“We really are fortunate that we’re able to wake up and collaborate and work with great artists, and get to open up for them for a living,” Sam said.

“That’s what we tell everyone, to do what you love,” Nik said. “Regardless if you succeed or not, if you do what you love, that’s the most important part.”

Most notably, they opened for Kris Allen at last Friday’s performance at the RHS Center for the Arts, and the two weeks leading up to that performance were a flurry of cross-country traveling and performing, showing just how hectic the twins’ lives can be.

They performed a show in Atlanta as part of a Broadcast Music, Inc. showcase, before flying to San Diego to perform a show with Gloriana. Then they flew back to Nashville, where they stayed for half a day before driving to Arkansas.

“We’ve experienced a lot for our age. It’s a good thing we love traveling,” Nik said with a laugh.

But while the two small-town girls get swept up in the chaotic life of touring musical artists, they haven’t forgotten their roots.

“I’m glad that we were born and raised here. We grew up shoveling horse manure, so it keeps us very grounded and taught us responsibility,” Sam said. “And I’m glad we’re able to go out and see the world, but we don’t let it change us, because this is where we came from, this is who we are.”

Nik and Sam weren’t your average 14-year-olds, either. They began playing at the age of 10, but their careers jumpstarted when a man came up to them after performing at a small local gathering and suggested they meet a friend of his in Los Angeles.

“We thought, ‘You know, whatever happens happens,’” Sam said. “But it worked out, and he came down and started working with us as far as recording. It really helped us put our foot in the door in the music business.”

They began flying to-and-from Los Angeles, which required them to be home-schooled due to the amount of school they missed. Since then, they’ve enjoyed a budding career that has seen them open for the likes of Randy Travis, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity,” Sam said.

“We’ve really enjoyed the ride,” Nik added.

With a country sound multilayered with rock and pop aspects, the duo’s music boasts an eclectic sound that is a breath of fresh air to the country genre. Their musical influences include the Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, Alison Kraus and The Wreckers.

“As far as our music, growing up, we really started out with hardcore bluegrass, so that’s kind of a part of us no matter what we do,” Sam said.

“We switch it up and listen to John Mayer, too,” Nik said. “I can’t really think of a genre for us, because we are country but we have a little pop and a little rock edge.”

The two might be twins, but they have their fair share of differences — Nik is blonde, Sam a brunette, a contrast also reflected in their personalities.

“We can be similar, but we’re both opposites,” Sam said. “I’m a little more opinionated, and Nik’s more passive.”

“Even though we’re twins, we’re two different people,” Nik said.

Yet despite their differences, they can both agree on one thing — music.

“It’s funny, because I feel like we have the same minds when it comes to music,” Nik said.

“That’s why it’s so good that we’re not only sisters, we’re twins, because we’re always on the same page, whether it’s writing or [making music],” Sam said.

They might live in Nashville, but when they drove back to Arkansas to perform on stage in Russellville last Friday, they were doing more than playing just another gig. They were coming home.

“I love the hospitality of the area,” Sam said. “We are in Nashville, so we’re still nearby, but as far as coming back to our hometown, it just feels like home.”